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Epilogue


Mike said goodbye to his brother the very next day. It was an emotional goodbye filled with lot’s of hugging and promises to keep in touch. Nick paused outside the bus for a few minutes as if afraid of saying something to his brother that might upset him, but he finally found his words looking right into Mike’s eyes as he said it, “Hey…I was wondering if maybe you wanted to come with me? You know I could always use some more help”
“Jesus that was the biggest understatement of the year!” AJ teased hopping past Nick and making his way onto the bus.

How desperately Mike wanted to say yes, take me away from this place and this life. I want to start over again. But he only smiled and pulled his baby brother into another hug, “Aww Nick…thanks a lot but I don’t think I would be good on the road. At least not now, I have an apartment and I should really try to find another job”

Nick looked a little disappointed, “Are you sure?”

“Yes, but don’t worry. Just because I’m not following you doesn’t mean we won’t stay in touch” He could read the doubt in his brother’s eyes but he meant it. They had lost each other once before and Mike wasn’t going to let that happen again.

So they said their goodbyes and life went on.

Nick moved from city to city on tour to promote the release of their newest CD Millennium; while Mike went back to the store and begged for his job back.

Maybe it was his charm or the smirk, most likely it was the famous brother but they gave in and rehired him.

Jane kept her promise as well and called Mike after Nick left. At first the conversation was empty and emotionless filled with a lot of silence, as the calls progressed so did their relationship. He even ended the last conversation with her by saying bye mom.

Melinda walked by her friend and purposely brushed him as she passed, “Hey you!” She said taking her familiar place next to him by the cash registers. “I can’t believe you actually made it here on time”

“I have been known to be punctual on occasion” He winked at her which she seemed absolutely repulsed by but Mike knew better. Their relationship had grown to a little more than friends although neither of them would ever tell you that, if you asked them.

“I can’t believe your brother’s coming back to town”

“Yeah I know, I’m kind of excited about that, it’s been awhile”

“About seven months...but whose counting?” Arianna said walking by the counter and smiling at both of them as she stacked the front display with the Backstreet Album.

“Are you getting together?”

“Yup, of course we are” He stood watching his brother crowd the display, already enjoying the looks on the faces of the teenage girls ready to buy the new CD.

“Have you heard from your dad anymore?” Mike looked away from the display and back to his kind of sort of girlfriend, “No, not since last month”

On that day, John Alexander had the gall to call his son up like nothing had happened. He called out of the blue and actually asked his son for a loan; Mike hung up. It was a chilling reminder that no matter what, that man was always going to be a part of him.

“He hasn’t bothered Nick has he?”

“He better not!”

“So when will he be here?” Melinda went into her pocket and pulled out a stick of gum.

“You know we’re not supposed to chew gum up here remember? It looks unprofessional” He crossed his arms over his chest mocking disappointment. She answered with a huge bubble which popped all over her face.

“Serves you right” He teased and then lovingly plucked the mess from her cheek and stuck it in his mouth.

“That was truly disgusting” Arianna said shaking her head at them both. Mike winked at Melinda who smiled a devilish smile.

“Today”

“Today what?”

“You asked when Nick will be here; the answer’s today. I’m seeing him right after work”

“Cool, nice of you to wait until the last minute to tell me”

“I’m sorry…I didn’t really want people to know when he was coming into town this time around”

“Oh I see so this way you can hog him all to yourself?”

“Yeah something like that, it’s just that right now any time we get to spend together is precious, I’m sorry for not letting you know”

“It’s not like it’s any of my business though. It’s no big deal” He turned towards her then and wrapped her in a hug, “Actually if it weren’t for you I would never have found him in the first place. You are the one that kept pushing me to talk to him. So thank you!”

“Okay kids break it up you’re making a spectacle of yourselves” One of their co workers said making them smile and move away from one another.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The day felt never ending to me. Since the time I left New York all those months ago so many things had happened. A brand new album, a hit single and total fame. Just thinking about how easily I skipped out of that hotel to get a slice of pizza before would now seem almost impossible. I guess until the newness of the album was done and over with anyway.

My life has really changed. Now it seems everyone recognizes me and shouts my name, I can’t go anywhere without hearing I Want It That Way and seeing us on MTV. It feels good but in a slightly terrifying kind of way.

I’m not sure if I am ready for that kind of fame just yet.

That wasn’t the reason the day kept dragging for me though, Mike was the reason. It had been so long since I had seen him that I couldn’t wait to once again hug my brother face to face. We made sure we kept in touch but it just wasn’t the same you know?

My mother came up from behind and grabbed me in a hug, tugging at my clothes to make sure they were on straight. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Of course mom. It’s now or never” It took a lot of convincing for my mom to agree to come with me to see Mike. I mean a lot of fighting and huffing and puffing. It was my father that finally talked her into it. Sure he was really pissed off when he found out about Mike and all the secrets that she kept from him, but after a while he started to understand. I mean we both knew how Jane was.

“Are you sure he won’t hate to see me?”

“I’m positive” I pat her shoulder. My mom and I did some growing on our own. At first it was kind of difficult; I tried to distance myself from her, sometimes I still do. Many a long night talking about her to Kevin and especially Brian made me realize that I was too young to be so angry. They were both very convincing when they wanted to be. Besides she had agreed to continue to get to know Mike which I believe she has done so there was really no reason to be upset with her; for now at least.

We stood side by side as he walked in to greet us. He stopped short when he saw our mother standing beside me and I thought maybe I had made a huge mistake for a moment. But then he continued to move closer as the smile on his face widened. He walked straight towards me and grabbed me in a huge hug. “Nickers! Long time no see! God you have grown some more”

“Hey Mike, how’s it going?” I pulled away from him as he still cupped the back of my neck in his hand, “Going good…going good” He said not looking at me but staring at our mom. She smiled at him as he let go of me and made his way over to her.

“Hi” He said walking towards her not sure whether to hug or shake hands. She seemed just as lost.

“Hi, you look great” Then she pulled him closer into a hug.

I couldn’t help but smile. At first it seemed forced but then it turned into a more natural cling.

“There is so much I want to say to you. I have so many regrets Mike…so many”

“I know you do, but we’re here now so let’s start fresh”

She wiped away a tear that threatened to spill down her cheek. “Sounds good to me” She said placing her hand on his face. A gesture of love, one of the rare ones that mom showed anymore.

I watched them both as they held hands and talked and that flashback from so long ago came back to me. I was transported back in time to my old room, long before the fame and the money; when all we had was each other.

“I’m starving what should we eat?” I asked selfishly breaking up the moment for my stomach and besides I was starting to get that mushy feeling and the last thing I needed was to cry.

They both looked over at me and laughed, then Mike grabbed me and together all three of us hugged. “This feels good” He said looking at mom and then me.

“This is what family feels like Mike” He pat my head and then we started to head for the front door out into an awaiting van to take us to dinner.

“Hey I wasn’t tackled this time. I guess that’s progress” He said opening the door for our mom.

“Don’t worry they’ll get you on the way back home. The night’s still young” He shook his head and pushed me into the car.

I silently sat in the front seat while mom and Mike played catch up in the back. Staring out the window I just couldn’t help but smile. You know I hated this life sometimes and all the crap that came with it, but then again if I didn’t have it I wouldn’t have Mike.

I looked back at the two of them laughing about something and realized just like that night when my father and mother came into our room all those years ago and took everything away, I would also remember this day forever. The day that it all came back.

Ironically enough, just as the thought crossed my mind a song came on the radio. The conversation stopped for just a moment and I was pretty sure they were both thinking the same thing.

“Life really does come full circle doesn’t it?” I asked turning around to look at them.

“Yes my little brother it certainly does” Mike said as we sped off to dinner with Separate Ways blaring in the background.


The End




*Author’s Note*

Well I guess I just wanted to say thank you so much for taking the time to read this story. I truly enjoyed writing it. Just a few notes of thanks. You really don’t have to read if you don’t want to, I know these things can be boring, but for this story I would feel bad if I didn’t thank a few people who really helped me get through the writing on this one. There was a brief period of time during the writing of this story that I contemplated giving up writing completely lol eh…it happens but with the love and support of these people I kept it going.

Mersey ~ From the first sentence to the last you have shown nothing but support for this story as well as all my others. You have put up with my rants and raves and my whining lol thanks for being my cheerleader.

Swenglish ~ You initially pushed me to write on this as you tend to do with everything. I may seem hostile at the time but I appreciate it! You always inspire me to want to be a better writer so thank you for that.

Sam ~ WOW! You have been constant support for this one and for that I thank you!

Nikki, Kat and Maria ~ For dropping me a note every once in a while to let me know you are enjoying what you have read. You guys always make me smile :)

To the regular readers who sent me feedback for this one at Vaffel and Chaos you are the best. I would have no plans on writing another chapter for awhile until I saw the great things you had to say. Your words inspired me to write.

And for anyone else who has read regularly and stayed with this story from start to finish even through the periods of time when nothing was being updated.

Thanks!

Mare

March 19, 2004